Spencer to be represented at Northwest Iowa High School Honor Band Festival

(Photo submitted) Spencer High School will be represented at the 55th Annual Northwest Iowa Honor Band Festival by: Mary Krull, flute; Katie Simons, bassoon; Elise Burnham, clarinet; Haley Jones, clarinet; Lindsay Kabrick, alto saxophone; Devin van Holsteijn, tenor saxophone; Alyssa Carlson, French horn; Michael Seeley, euphonium; and Sarah Rutt, euphonium. The event will be held at Morningside College's Eppley Auditorium at 7 p.m., on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009.

Approximately 225 high school musicians from 44 area high schools will

combine their talents for the 55th annual Northwest Iowa Honor Band Festival at 7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009 in Eppley Auditorium at the Morningside College Campus in Sioux City.

Membership was chosen through auditions held Nov. 1 in Storm Lake from among 450 entries.

Spencer High School will be represented by: Mary Krull, flute; Katie Simons, bassoon; Elise Burnham, clarinet; Haley Jones, clarinet; Lindsay Kabrick, alto saxophone; Devin van Holsteijn, tenor saxophone; Alyssa Carlson, French horn; Michael Seeley, euphonium; and Sarah Rutt, euphonium.

The festival will feature two bands of equal size and instrumentation. The bands

will rehearse throughout the day preparing music selected by the guest conductors. Conducting this year's festival will be Dr. Scott Weiss and Dr. William Carson.

Weiss is the Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at the

University of Kansas where he conducts the KU Wind Ensemble, directs the graduate program in wind conducting, and guides all aspects of the university wind band program.

Carson is Director of Bands at Coe College, where he conducts the

Concert Band and the Senior Honor Band, teaches clarinet, conducting, and music history courses, and serves as Administrator for the annual Jazz Summit and Festival of Bands.

The Northwest Iowa Bandmasters Association, a group of band directors from 15 Northwest Iowa counties, sponsors the concert. Officers of this year's organization include: President Kurt Schwarck, Spencer High School and Secretary Paul Jepson, Spencer Middle School.

Tickets for the evening concert will be available at the door. Admission is $5

for adults and $3 for students.